Tube cleaner



1v E 2 6mm M, u E E mm o m Aug 21, 1928 .FfCi

a fat FIG 5 FIG 2.

Patented Aug. 21, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO G. RUNGE, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD OIL DEVEL-OPMENT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TUBE CLEANER.

Application filed May 7,

This invention relates to tubecleaners such as are used for cleaningtubes of steam boilers, oil heaters, etc., and will be fully understoodfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing in which Fig. 1 represents a plan of a device embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation F 3 is a section taken on the line A-A ofFigure 1; and

Fig. at is an enlarged vertical central section. 7

Devices of the character contemplated here, in use are subjected to verysevere thrusts both endwise and sidewise, and as a result devicescommonly on the market are found to develop weaknesses and undesirablelost motion after having been employed for a relatively short time. Myinvention is directed toward improving the structural elements andassemblage with a view to securing a max imum serviceability in devicesof this character.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the reference character 1designates a body member having transverse projections 2 andscrew-tln'eadedly engaged at its base with a support 3. The projections52 are bored to receive pivot pins 4 which have preferably enlargedheads 5 and are backed up to prevent disengagement by a plate 6.Supported on the pivot pins 4 are the yoke members 7 which carry each aspindle 8 upon which are mounted toothed cutters 9, 10, and 11. Eachspindle 8 seats at its forward end in a step bearing 12 in theprojecting branch of the yoke member 7, and at its rear end restsagainst the plate 6. The yoke members 7 are so shaped with relation tothe transverse projections 2 as to allow a limited side swing outwardly,any displacement of the spindles 8 duri such movement being prevented bythe common backing plate 6. As seen, the forward projecting branch 13 ofthe yoke member 7 is slightly beveled off toward the center so as topresent somewhat of a shearing edge against incrustations engaged, whilethe conformation of the yoke member-as a whole gives a well balancedsupport not only to the rear of the spindles 8 but also at the frontwhere the primary thrust in use is encountered.

The manner of assembling and use of the device will be apparent tothose'skilled in the 1923. Serial No. 637,145.

art, it being understood that the cutters 9, 10, and 11 are suitablyheld in position with relation to the yoke member 7, while the retainingspindle 8 is put in place in each case and the yoke members 7 being dulyengaged with the transverse projections 2 and the pivot pins at havingbeen inserted, the backing plate 6 is placed against the spindles andpivot pins and the support 3 screwed in place. A suitable driving motoris connected to the device by a srrew-threaded engagement 14 in thesupport, and the device is pushed into the tube to be cleaned,centrifugal force from the rota ion holding the yoke members with theircutters in operative engagement with the encrusted walls of the tube.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. in a tube-cleanera body member having trz-msverse projections, headed pivot pins throughsaid transverse projections, yoke members mounted on said pivot pins,spindles in said yoke members carrying rotary cutters and supported attheir forward ends by step bearings in the yoke members, a backing platecontacting with the rear end of the spindles and the heads of the pivotpins, and a support screw-threadedly engaging the body member andholding the backing plate in position.

2. In a tube-cleaner the combination of a body member and yoke memberpivotally supported thereon, said yoke member having a forward branch, aspindle mounted in said yoke member and seated in a step bearing in thesaid forward branch thereof, rotary cut ters mounted on said spindle,and a backing plate for retaining said spindle in position.

3. In a tube-cleaner the combination of a pivotally mounted yoke member,a spindle mounted in said yoke member by a step bearing at its forwardend and carrying rotary cutters.

4:. In a tube cleaner, the combination of a body member having atransverse projection, a pivot pin in said transverse projection, a yokemember mounted on said pivot pin, said yoke member having a boreextending centrally and toward the rear thereof, and a step bearing atthe forward end thereof, a spindle mounted in said bore and bearing,rotary cutters carried by the spindle, and a backing plate in contactwith the rear ends of the spindle and pivot pin.

OTTO C. RUNGE.

